THE burial of the late Tui Wailevu, Ratu Kinijoji Maivalili, on Friday means the traditional title is officially vacant.
But head of the sauturaga or chief maker’s clan, Taniela Bureiwalu, said the title would not be vacant for long, adding they had a replacement in mind to take on the title from their late chief.
Ratu Taniela said the strongest contender for the title was the late chief’s brother, Ratu Jovesa Maivalili.
While delivering his eulogy at Ratu Kinijoji’s funeral in Wailevu Village yesterday, Ratu Taniela said the chief maker’s clan would meet in the next few weeks to decide on the new Tui Wailevu.
While addressing the vanua of Wailevu, Ratu Taniela said the title needed to be filled as soon as possible so that the people of Wailevu could have a sense of direction.
Without a leader, Ratu Taniela said, the vanua would feel insecure and unstable.
However, he demanded the allegiance of the people of Wailevu to their new chief, adding the new title bearer would need the support of the whole vanua.
